Location and Construction
During World War II, Camp Atlanta was established next to the town as an Allied Prisoner of War camp for German P.O.W.s. As with many prisoner camps, the site was chosen because it was located well into the interior of the United States. The site housed 3,000 German prisoners, most of whom had been captured in the North African Campaign, in three compounds.
The Atlanta area had been the final choice of the U.S. Army to establish a $2,000,000 P.O.W. camp after the outbreak of World War II. When construction began in September 1943, people were told this would be a "Conchie Camp" for the conscientious objectors from the United States. By November, it became known by locals that Atlanta would be a Prisoner of War camp expected to guard German prisoners. There were approximately 275 enlisted men and 60 officers.
Read more about this topic: Camp Atlanta
Famous quotes containing the word construction:
“When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)